Yulia SHEDKO 1.5 years old (born November 16, 2002) Stage III neuroblastoma with lesion of the retroperitoneal space and right kidney

Excerpt from case history (JPG format, 156 kB)
 

Dear friends, My name is Natalya, and Yulia is my little daughter. She was born a healthy and beautiful baby. All our family was so happy, so merry!..

But then trouble came. My little girl was 8 months old at the time. I took her to a pediatrist for a check, and the doctor discovered an induration in the kidney region and directed us to the regional hospital for an examination. And this long examination resulted in a diagnosis: neuroblastoma, which means cancer.

I just could not comprehend that this had happened to my child, to my happy and pretty kid. The earth rocked under my feet, and I just wanted to die.

But the doctors gave us some hope. It turned out that Yulia can survive. The treatment has already been going on for a long time, and they say that my daughter's chances are growing little by little.

Now much depends on the money. I have to buy part of the medicines myself, because they are lacking at the hospital. And anti-cancer drugs are very expensive. Unfortunately, I am a single mother, and there is no man that can support Yulia and I. I just don't know her father's whereabouts, because he disappeared as soon as he learned about our daughter's disease. But this is not the main thing now. We are not quite alone: my parents, my sister, her two friends constantly help us.

But now there is no more money left to buy the medicines. We have sold all we could. Four blocks of strong chemotherapy still await us. And, as soon as any complications arise, I'll have to buy the antibiotics myself.
 

I want my little angel to stay with me. I can't imagine how I'll bear her death if it happens through my fault, through my lack of money.

Please help my baby!
 

NEWS

October 1, 2004. Yulia Shedko received help.

An anonymous contributor bought Ursofalk and one pen syringe with Intron A for Yulia Shedko.

The Save a Russian Child mission also transferred 292 EUR for buying Intron A to Yulia's mother.
 

August 7, 2004. Help for Yulia was received.

Vadim, who always helps us, again bought the necessary medicines for Yulia.
 

July 2004. The news about Yulia.

Little Yulia is going on with the treatment. Her condition is not very good. A long intestinal bleeding worried Natasha, Yulia's mother, and the doctors. Probably this is her reaction to chemotherapy.

Vadim, whom we have already mentioned, again helped Yulia in buying the medicines. During the crisis, Natasha Shedko received 1000 USD from the Dutch Foundation "Save a Russian Child" for buying the medicines.

We have also made a present for Yulia: a talking "baby doll", just as bald as Yulia herself during the chemotherapy. This baby can say a few words, laughs when thrown up in the air, and whimpers when he receives an injection with a special syringe. The doll was presented by Svetlana, Yulia's aunt and Natalya's sister.

8.05.2004. Yulia Shedko has started her next block of chemotherapy.

In the beginning of May, little Yulia started her 5th block of chemotherapy. It is not so hard to bear as the previous ones, and therefore Yulia and her mother are not in an isolated ward but in a ward with two other children and their parents. Of course, it is always good to get rid of isolation. Yulia is very glad to see her new neighbors and to play with them.

29.04.2004. Medicines have been bought for Yulia

A Crimean businessman named Vadim bought some medicines for Yulia Shedko. He handed them to Natasha Shedko, Yulia's mother.

A little earlier, Pampers diapers were bought for Yulia for the money received from the Dutch foundation.

28.04.2004. Our children are at the web site of a Dutch foundation

The Dutch Foundation "Save a Russian Child" placed stories of Yulia Shedko and Lera Ulitskaya on its site:

19.04.2004. Medicines for Yulia

Medicines for Yulia Shedko have been bought for part of the money donated by Natalya Maiorova (USA) for helping the Crimean children. Today Natasha, Yulia's mother, received these medicines.